Today marks the 10th year that I have had the distinct privilege to be a part of the AR membership. As Groucho Marx once said, "I am not so sure I want to be a member of club that would have me".

Many thanks to Saeed and the moderators for their work here. To you members who are sincere and post from the heart, much thanks as well.

I started hunting in Africa in 2003 and have since made many trips there and other places. Most of what I have learned or researched came via this wonderful resource. If I had not known about the "this lion is a cattle killer here in South Africa" scam, I might have fallen for the trap.

I have bought and sold several hundred items from ARbay and not once had a bad deal.

I have booked several hunts via ads in the Discounted Hunts section.

I have read over 100 books on African hunting, mostly chosen from reviews in the books section.

I have learned what a double rifle is and what it is not.

I never understood what CRF was vs push feed until someone posted pics.

I had not idea what soft boss vs hard boss was. I thought you were talking about your job, not a buffalo.

I never heard of a canned lion before. Now I know and I shot a real one that tried to eat Jamy Traut and I.

I hunted a bongo and never heard of one before. And saw gorillas too!

Anyway, thanks for making this resource work - Saeed and Don for managing it and to the real deal members for sharing hard earning knowledge.

I drink a toast to all of you!!!

Dogcat, great! Happy anniversary!

We have some friends coming over for soccer tonight, and we will drink raise one up for you.

Thank you for being part of our community.

What we who run AR do pales into insignificance compared to the endless devotion of time and knowledge given freely by all our members.

Thank you all for making AR what it is today

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Today marks the 10th year that I have had the distinct privilege to be a part of the AR membership. As some WC Fields once said, "I am not so sure I want to be a member of club that would have me".

(Groucho)

I am rushing to the drinks cabinet in order to prepare a toast.

Cheers

Anyone volunteer to give dogcat 10 spankings?

Yeah, me either.

Happy 10th AR birthday dogcat. It has been a pleasure to know you here on AR and in "real life".

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Today marks the 10th year that I have had the distinct privilege to be a part of the AR membership. As some WC Fields once said, "I am not so sure I want to be a member of club that would have me".

(Groucho)

Corrected to Groucho Marx! See that is why I like AR, I get corrected in a positive manner when I say the wrong thing!

Happy anniversary!
I haven't been here that long, only a couple of years and have to say it's my favorite site. I have learned a lot from some of the forum members and become good friends with others as well. Nice to find a "like minded" place to visit.

Happy, Happy, Happy!!!!! To you Ross and to Saeed and Don.

AR is my addiction, second only to Africa!!!!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Congratulations!!!
I've enjoyed your hunt reports and photos!!!

Thank you!

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Today marks the 10th year that I have had the distinct privilege to be a part of the AR membership. As some WC Fields once said, "I am not so sure I want to be a member of club that would have me".

(Groucho)

Corrected to Groucho Marx! See that is why I like AR, I get corrected in a positive manner when I say the wrong thing!

I first joined AR probably around the same time as you, dogcat; maybe a couple of years earlier. I think my first post was about how impressed I was with the accuracy of the Browning A-Bolt with a muzzle-brake which my son chose for our first safari in the year 2000. (No one else seemed to be all that impressed.)

That was back when that ignominious chump RUSSEL E. TAYLOR was running roughshod over everyone (prior to his being exposed), which pissed me off so much I left for a few years.

After I came back something else happened and I left again for a few more years.

The thing is, despite the fact that it says “one of us” under my name, I never felt, and probably never will feel, like I’m “one of y’all” – even though I made an extra effort to be one. I was in Africa almost every year between 2000 and 2007 (when the financial collapse wiped me out). I even registered for a PH course at one point, which was run, if I remember correctly, by our (i.e. your) very own Shakari. But I was born and raised in NYC and that makes all the difference – (even though I hate that place now).

But I consider it something of a privilege and an honor to be able to exchange views (and the occasional jab) with all of the true experts here; many of whom I consider to be the most knowledgeable people in the world on Africa, African hunting and African wildlife.

Plus, due to Saeed’s influence no doubt, AR has a kind-of international feel to it, which I like (despite all the Texans … ).

Salut!

Congrats..here's to another 10!

Congratulations. I have only been on AR for half as long, but it seems like 10.

Tom

Congratulations.

Mike

Congratulations on all your hunting accomplishments and for sharing such wonderful adventures.

I'll drink to that!

I have two more years to go to reach 10. I guess that is some kind of milestone since I have given Don and Jeffeosso plenty of reasons to ban my ass. Congratulations on your 10th. year on here, I hope I can last that long.

I am not sure that any of us would have lasted as long as we have on the regional sites.

I'll drink to that
10 spanking? You betcha. My Dad's belt worked well on my and my son :-)

Ross, you have been a huge, constructive and positive contributor to AR, and I thank you for that.

Sharing the best, and the worst, of the hunting experience, and educating others based on that experience, is what makes this great site as great as it is.

Thanks, again.

And thanks, as well and of course, to Saeed, for making all of this possible.

Congrats Ross.

You are a great contributor and I always look forward to your reports!

Keep 'em comming.


Jim